MEDICINES IN BALI

People who come to see us in Indonesia (not only in Bali….) always ask what medicine to bring. We are not in the jungle even outside of Bali… There is everything on site in pharmacies, especially for non-prescription drugs. Mostly mosquito repellent. It is useless to buy this 3 times the price in Australia, Europe or the US!! Here are some medicines in Bali (medications).

Of course, take your usual medicines or in case of complicated pathology… Basically all the following is available on site and this is what we put in our first aid kits for the attention of our customers and travelers.

Local names for medicines in Bali:

1 PARACETAMOL 500mg: Pain & fever
2 CETIRIZINE 10mg: Respiratory allergies, antihistamine
3 MILANTA TABLET: Stomach pain
4 AMOXICILLIN 500mg: Penicillin antibiotic
5 PONSTAN 500mg: Analgesic
6 ASPIRIN: Pain & fever
7 ENERVON-C: Vitamin C
8 ANTIMO: Anti-seasickness
9 DIATABS: or similar Antidiarrheal
10 MYONAL 50mg: Anti-inflammatory
11 ACTIFED or RHINOFED 60mg: Rhinitis and respiratory infections

In external application:

1 VOLTAREN – GEL: Muscle pain, sprains
2 BIOPLACENTON 15g: Wound healing
3 AUTAN LOTION (sachets or bottles): Anti-mosquito lotion
4 BETADINE 30ml: Disinfectant
5 VICKS GOSOK (Vaporub) 10g: Balm (cold snaps)
6 SAN HONG 12ml: Against insect bites (Chinese oil)
7 INSTO: or similar Eye Drops

KIMIA FARMA state pharmacies and GUARDIAN pharmacies (in tourist areas) are very well stocked. Ask to speak to the pharmacist in person. Sales assistants usually know a little bit or nothing at all.

You don’t buy whole boxes of medicine here. But according to the dose prescribed in small sachets or they write you the dosage in case of prescription: down with the mess (most people do not have Social Security here and are not reimbursed…); you can ask for the leaflet if you doubt something, they don’t care.

Read also: Travelers Diarrhea, How to Avoid and Treat Bali Belly?

Medications to Bring During Holidays

Before coming to Bali, it is important to check the following

1. INSURANCE

Firstly, we recommend that you obtain travel/repatriation insurance from your assistance company. Ensure that comprehensive health insurance is included in your policy. If you intend to rent a scooter (moped), verify that your insurance coverage extends to accidents, including 3rd party liability..

2. HOSPITALS

Bali has private clinics and hospitals that will be perfectly suited for minor problems and accidents. However, if it comes to more serious problems, know that Singapore, which is only two hours away by plane, has the necessary infrastructure to welcome you. You will understand, no reason to worry! Read also: Important Numbers in Bali | Essential numbers and addresses

3. VACCINES

A few months before your departure, do not neglect a medical visit with your doctor to take stock of the vaccines to be done. Being preventive is important when venturing to a tropical island.

Generally, the vaccines that we are recommended to do are the following:

– Diphtheria: a bacterial infection that causes breathing difficulties and heart problems.
– Tetanus: a bacterial infection that causes muscle spasms and lockjaw.
– Polio (Poliomyelitis): a viral infection that causes paralysis.
– Hepatitis A: a viral infection that causes liver inflammation.

To discuss with your doctor:

– Rabies: a viral infection that affects the brain and spinal cord, typically transmitted through animal bites.
– Typhoid fever: a bacterial infection that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
– Hepatitis B: a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and can lead to liver cancer.
– Japanese encephalitis: a viral infection that affects the brain, typically transmitted through mosquito bites.
– Pertussis (Whooping cough): a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing and lung damage.

Note that preventive treatment for Malaria (also called Paludisme) is not necessary if you are content to stay in Bali (malaria is almost non-existent there). But, if you plan to travel elsewhere in the archipelago, you may be recommended to take it.

Note: These tips do not replace the advice of your doctor.

4. MEDICINES AND PRESCRIPTION

If you need to come to Bali with your medication, remember to bring your prescription or a photocopy of it, as well as your glasses or contact lenses prescription.

Contact local (Bali) healtcare / pharmacies if they have a special medication that you need, before you leave your country

When bringing medicines into or out of Indonesia, you should check the list of prohibited medicinal substances available.

Declare the drug as prescribed medication for personal use whilst travelling

Declare the drug as “Prescribed medication for personal use whilst travelling” on your customs form and keep the doctors letter/prescription in the same package as the medication. It is advisable, that you make a 2nd photocopy of the letter or prescription (or both) and carry that separately in your hand luggage.

Strong painkillers

For strong painkillers, such as Oxycodone tablets or Fentanyl Patches, special rules apply. The supporting doctor’s letter and prescription needs to be in English AND Indonesian. The drugs must be declared on the pre-arrival customs form.

The drugs must be in their original packaging and the total amount being imported must not exceed the amount prescribed for the duration of the visit. To be clear for example; if Oxycodone liquid is prescribed for 10mg four times a day (40mg total) and the medicine you bring is 5mg per ml strength and your trip to Indonesia is for 10 days then the maximum amount of drug you can import is 40mg x 10 days = 400mg or 80ml.

Traveling to Indonesia with prescribed medication

If you are travelling to Indonesia and you are bringing medication with you, there should be no problem at the customs if it is clear that the medicine is for personal use. You must declare your medication by using customs declaration (CD) and present a letter from your physician stating the amount of medicine you use per day and the listing of the medication and/ or a copy of original prescription to customs officer. If you are questioned about the medication by the customs officer, you need to have these documents to prove that the medication is legally prescribed.

Physician letter, the listing of the medication and a copy of original prescription must be translated into Indonesian or English. These documents do not require Embassy legalization. Source: Indonesian Embassy in Oslo.

Contact the nearest Indonesian Embassy before you leave your country, for any further information concerning MEDICINES AND PRESCRIPTION.

5. IN YOUR BAGGAGE

Finally, don’t forget to bring mosquito repellent spray as well as for insect bites and sunscreen. In Indonesia, the sun is particularly strong, which is why it is important to protect yourself – especially during the first exposures – and to stay well hydrated (never drink tap water, only bottled water).

And make emergency plans

Talk to the people you’re travelling with; about your and their medical needs. You may need to support each other if one of you gets sick overseas and incase you need a certain medications that might not be available in Indonesia. Have an action plan. If you carry emergency medication or use any medical or mobility aids, show your travelling companions what to do.

Now you are ready to travel safely!

Bali Packing List – What to pack for Bali? Best Packing List and Tips for a Perfect Vacation (What to Bring in Your Luggage or Suitecase)

Sources: CDC, Kantor Urusan Internasional (KUI) Office of International Affairs

Photo credit: Mizianitka via Pixabay

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